ORIGIN

Bavaria via Canada: 1966 BMW 2000 tilux

This 1966 BMW 2000 sedan is a rare ti/tilux-spec car not often seen in the USA. It features the big Euro-spec glass headlights that give the car a very different flavor than the quad rounds found on USA-spec cars. The seller offers little description, but it looks as if the car is in good condition and was originally Polaris Silver. Find it here on Kajiji.com in Toronto, Canada for $5500. Special thanks to BaT reader Kevin C. for this submission!

Even when restored these cars rarely seem to bring much money, so it is not surprise that most are worn out and few have been restored. We’d guess that this one is in better cosmetic shape than 99% of the 2000 or 1800 sedans in North America, but only an inspection for rust and accident repair say for sure.

The interior looks very original with the factory wheel, shifter, and Blaupunkt radio. If it is a color change, the door jamb looks well covered. Low-back seats were the norm in BMW’s in 1966.

The 4-cylinder engine is barely viewable in this shot but what we see looks reasonably clean. The serial number tag and paint sticker are below. The factory color is referenced as “Polaris Neu” which should be code 060 silver, but we only see blue in the photos so an inspection might show more. We actually like this color just as much as if it is well applied.

This car has been on offer for a while but has just been re-listed on Kijiji on June 10th so it should still be available. The photos suggest a condition well worth the asking price even if it is not “mint” as the seller describes. A quick Google search or the seller’s phone number shows that the car has been available since way back in January 2009. A local BaT’er should should check this thing out in person and give us the scoop!

Comments

[…] BMW NK 2000 “Rally Inspired” that you also featured a while back. We also picked up Dorien B.’s 1967 BMW NK 2000 TiLux which is still on its way to California from Canada via customs and transport. We were really busy […]

I purchased this car from Dorien. Still have yet to get it to California. It will arrive very soon and will be placed into my collection in a few weeks. It does have the dual solex carbs and is MINT. These are really great cars and I am proud to own it.

I have discussed with the owner, although I have not seen the car in person – I do not live in Toronto. I have known the owner for over 25 years, he is a serious collector with a good reputation.

I guess it isn’t selling because it is indeed “acquired taste”. It comes with a truckload of spares – I passed up the car because I have no space to keep the spares and it would be crazy to get the car but not the parts.

I owned a ’67 2000, that I converted to a ‘ti’. BMW basically got it right with the Nue Klasse cars. MacPherson struts, independent rear suspension, disc brakes up front, front and rear sway bars. The engine block from these 60’s cars was still in production in the 80’s, and used in F1 racing:

“…Just in case you didn’t understand this engines superiority, Gerhard Berger still holds the all time record for the fastest speed ever recorded in an F1 car on circuit at just over 350kph. —>Made from a block cast in the 60?s.”

In a comparison to the 2002, these cars share the same horsepower but are larger. They have a unique mix of being cruisers that can comfortably seat 4, or 5 with the middle rear seat arm rest put up, and happily spin down the freeway all day long, and with the same suspension layout the 2002 inherited, they respond well to being tossed in the twisties, albiet with a bit more body roll. With the proper side draft carb set up, the 2000 ti will put a grin on your face when you step on it.

Rarely are these cars in pristine shape, which is good, cause they’re good drivers. My opinoin is don’t sweat the small unobtainium interior stuff. From the pictures of this car, and the addition of the sunroof this is a decent buy if you get the sidedraft manifolds, and aircleaner. Both of which are available in used parts circles. Most people don’t bother with the Solexes, instead swapping them out for 40 or 45 DCOE Webers depending on the state of tune like the TISA.

I own an 1800 Ti that is the terror of the Cortina’s and 356’s here in the NW in the vintage classes. These “neue klasse” cars saved BMW’s bacon in the 60’s, and paved the way for the 02’s and Bavaria’s that came later. They were pretty crude, light, and very quick for their day. Most of them rotted away long ago.

BMW’s success with these cars, in the form of the TiSA, encouraged them to set up the M division a few years later. BMW won the Euro touring car championship two years in a row with these cars (65′ and 66′ I believe).

I may buy it just for the spare body parts- JUST KIDDING!! It looks like a nice one that deserves a good home and a few trips to the beer hall occasionally.

I’m used to shipping cars, bigoak… we sent our ’67 911S to BC for the Thaw event, and have shipped to Monterey as well as deliveries from the NE. Enclosed carrier from Toronto would probably add $1200 to this lovely Bimmer, and right now $6700 is about what I’m looking at to finish the 280SL. :^( My wife would freak if her car were delayed on account of yet ANOTHER BMW! I value my living arrangement. ;^)

Hey Geoff, you guys did the frigid drive from Calgary towing that 122S. Great to meet you guys, nice car! From your sig I thought you might be Phil, he of the amazing troll-killing 850GT.

Freight isn’t as bad as you think as long as you can get it across the border first. I hauled one of my Datsuns up from the San Diego area to just south of Montreal for $800 (2 years ago, mind you)…then went and picked it up…easy as pie…

You just want to avoid the brokerage fees…they soak for filling out a few forms…

Doh! For some reason Toronto didn’t register… still, shipping would add more than I can justify right now. With two Porsche restorations underway and a 280SL nearing completion, the budget is a little thin much as I’d like to have this.

Because its a smart, capable, quick vintage saloon with some racing heritage.

I’m not sure how you define light years better, as mechanically this is pretty much textbook BMW from the era. It’s styling may not be for everyone, but its sharp, crisp avante- garde will appeal to smae and help it stand out in a crowd.

If I didn’t own a Bavaria, one of these would be right at the top of my BMW to have list…

Glad to see so many know the good points of these cars. For the price you get a solid, handsome touring sedan with adequate performance and space. A few judicious mods will get it close to TiSa performance cheaper than it’s Italian contemporaries. The chrome-spoke bus wheel is fairly scarce but correct for 1800-2000 sedans. Not sure why one would go through so much trouble for a color change but it looks nice… also can’t imagine any accident damage, as anything beyond a fender bender would total one of these from an insurance company’s perspective.

The 2000CS was based on these mechanicals, and shared the headlight styling which some dislike. It’s definately not a Ti; as others point out it should have 40PHH Solex side-drafts. Add those, a 5spd, some Campys and an Abarth exhaust and yer all set. Sure wish it was closer… someone in the NW should snap this up for next year’s Spring Thaw!

I bought a 1966 1800 for $200.00 when I was an impoverished college student. It was rusty as hell, but a gas to drive. Coming home one day, the left strut finally punched through the rotted inner fender, thus ending the driveability of the thing. However, I made the last 15 miles home with the hood latch supporting the corner. Homely in a beautiful way, like the Berlina I bought a few years later…

I looked at a 2000tilux as a project car before I purchased my Sunbeam, and although I didn’t buy it (it had a few issues with the ol’ tinworm) I grew very fond of the model. The “Neue Klasse” sedan is technically the predecessor of the 5-series (while the Bavaria was succeeded by the 7) but it looks much smaller than even the first (E12) 5er. It’s bigger than a 2002, of course, but I believe they’re around the same size as a 4-door E30. Body parts are hard to find (which is why a nice example, like this one, is a good starting point) but many of the mechanical bits seem to be shared with other Bimmers of the era.

A Neue Klasse sedan like this one would be a neat family car, or be able to take more than one navigator for a fun rally ride. They’ve got cool competition pedigree, too– an 1800 ti-SA (a homologation special) was the first touring car to lap the Nurburgring in under 10 minutes!

With RwH (above) I am not quite understanding the carb set up. I had a ’66 2000 TI (not the Tilux). It was fitted with a pair of Solex PHH dual throated side draft carbs. Maybe 44’s. There was a special long, barrel-like black air cleaner connected to the four carb throats via four special “corrugated” flexible rubber fittings.

Not seeing any of this gear. Maybe the Canadian spec had a single carb?

This clean example has been available for awhile. Definitely an acquired taste. A bit clunkier than a 2002 it is a great touring sedan.

I emailed Kris who has looked at it in person. I am sure he will report back. Though a BMW steering wheel that is not an original TiLux wheel. It appears to have a 2 liter engine installed or at least the finned valve cover. See the link to my car that is still available to compare these parts. BaT Excliusive: 1967 BMW 2000tilux Driver Projecthttp://bringatrailer.com/2008/09/23/bat-excliusive-1967-bmw-2000tilux-driver-project/

Don M– I thought the Borgward Isabella was an attractive car. Like a big Karmann Ghia. This bimmer IS hideous. But I like it alot!! Bob is right, It has a quasi-soviet look that is super hip/square. like Buddy Holly glasses or bauhaus architecture.

I had a 65 1800 Tilux. When my ex first saw it, she exclaimed “Ewwww, its funny looking!” (She drove a 59 Borgward Isabella Couple – so that was a case of the pot calling the kettle…).

This thing is an absolute screeeeeamer (I drove a 2L version once too). It may be lighter then the 2500/2800/Bavaria but it isn’t a lot smaller. Huge trunk, plenty of room for 4 (or even 5) and it just flat out moves. But keeping the 4 side-draft Webers tuned isn’t a walk in the park and don’t expect great mileage – I think I got around 12 around town and maybe 18 – 20 on the hwy (of course I had my foot heavily into it most the time).

Fun to drive? I got 2 tickets on a trip from SFO to Eureka in mine, one where the CHP chased me for a good 20 miles before he finally caught up to me.

Lower it, put on some Konis and wide tires for grip and you will always have a smile on your face… even if the steering wheel does look like it is from a bus.

If this thing is repainted it look like they did a good job. I love that color and the front and rear lights look MUCH less “funny” then my 1800.

I owned a pair of 1800ti’s back in the ’70’s. The engine pictured is a single cam engine, and from what little can be seen, it looks like a single carburetor not the twin Solex 44PHH sidedraft’s found on the ti models.

The 1800ti (and the 2000) were deceptively quick, much to the surprise of the British and Italian sports car drivers of the day.

cool but questions abound and wish I could inspect in person. the sellers ‘never repaired’ claim becomes more suspicious vs. the color issue. but if all as represented this is an interesting car – clearly the predecessor of the 2002 AND Bavaria in so many ways.

Interesting looking car with those flat headlamps. A nice addition to a collection of 60s BMWs. Someone in CA ought to buy this..cute car gets to retire to a sunny dry climate and hang out with its brethren…happy ending.

I’ve never driven any BWM product, but if this is a Ti it has the twin-carb engine, good for 120 horsepower. A Bavaria of about the same time period has 150-170 horsepower…or so I’m told. As this car is smaller/lighter, than a Bavaria, I would have to think the acceleration and maybe even the driving experience would be about the same.

BTW, BaT, the rules change for head restraints on cars in the US/North America(?) is January 1, 1968. That’s when manufacturers were required to start adding some kind of headrest. Volvo and, I believe Saab, added head restraints or high backed front seats BEFORE this date, but almost no other manufacturers joined them. And for some reason, my 1969 Plymouth Valiant never had head restraints.